General report

The Delegation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea informed the meeting that the respected Marshal Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader of the people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, had put forward the grandiose goal of building the country into a knowledge-economy power within a few years and was wisely leading the struggle for the realization of that aim. Thanks to the Government policy of attaching great importance to the development of science and technology, the number of patents, inventions and creations was systematically increasing. In 2012, the number had reached more than 11,000 cases which represented an increase of 19 per cent compared to 2011. Furthermore, new technologies had been widely introduced into production and workplaces through widespread publication of IP products using electronic libraries and web sites. The Government was also focusing closely on collaboration with WIPO concerning the establishment of the national IP protection system in conformity with international IP protection norms. Given the current global financial and economic crisis, the strengthening of the IP protection system had become more important than ever in terms of overcoming such global challenges as climate change and food security. The Delegation was of the view that it was important for WIPO to assist the developing countries in strengthening their IP infrastructure and capacity in conformity with their reality through the active implementation of the DA. The longer the implementation of the DA was delayed, the more serious would be social problems such as the brain drain in the developing countries and the disparity of intellectual wealth between the North and South. To cope with such problems, WIPO should pay more attention to the efforts of developing countries in their formulation of national strategies, as well as strengthening infrastructure for IP development and increasing financial and technical support for such nations. At the same time, developed countries should provide practical assistance to developing countries in achieving sustainable economic development through the observance of their commitment to financial support and technology transfer. In the view of the Delegation, the Member States should take strict precautions against and reject any attempt to politicize WIPO assistance activities. Attempts to talk about the “transparency” of WIPO activities while targeting a specific country or countries in disregard of the DA and assistance programs that had been unanimously adopted by the Member States in the General Assembly could never be justified. WIPO was an inter governmental organization comprising sovereign Member States with equal rights and was not an organization to be dictated by the will of an individual country. The Delegation stated that, with regard to the groundless allegation made by some countries about the regular technical assistance provided by WIPO aimed at strengthening the IP infrastructure of developing countries, it was well known that the relevant UN organ had made it clear that there was no problem with such technical assistance. The Delegation strongly opposed and rejected any attempt to politicize WIPO’s technical assistance to Member States, in particular the developing countries, that unreasonably connected such assistance with the so-called “UN sanctions” and “domestic law” of an individual country. The Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea would continue to fulfill its responsibilities and role as a Member State of WIPO for the building of a fair and equitable global IP system and the strengthening of international cooperation.

The Delegation of Morocco praised WIPO’s work, under the able leadership of its Director General, in developing the IP system as an effective tool for economic, social and cultural development. Morocco attached great importance to the knowledge economy and development of creativity and innovation as key factors in sustainable economic and social development. Against that background, the Delegation wished to praise achievements made in WIPO’s bodies since the preceding Assemblies, particularly the successful conclusion of the Diplomatic Conference with the adoption of the BTAP, as Morocco was among its signatories. The Delegation emphasized that Morocco was fully involved in current negotiations within WIPO’s standing committees to contribute in progress towards consensus among Member States on international treaties, particularly on the protection of GRs, TK and TCEs and a Treaty on Industrial Design Law. In the field of copyright and related rights, the Delegation highlighted work for updated broadcasting organization rights, as well as exceptions and limitations to provide access to protected works for the visually impaired, libraries and archives. Building on its national strategy for the promotion of economic activity, the Delegation was pleased to note the various reforms and restructuring initiatives were underway in all vital sectors. As a catalyst for creativity and innovation, IP was being integrated in all government development programs and projects. Morocco was also keen on fulfilling its international obligations. In that regard, the Delegation mentioned approval, in the current year, by the Council of Ministers of draft laws regarding accession of Morocco to the Singapore Treaty of the Law of Trademarks, Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs (Hague Agreement), the Strasbourg Agreement Concerning the International Patent Classification (Strasbourg Agreement), the Locarno Agreement Establishing an International Classification for Industrial Designs (Locarno Agreement), and the Vienna Agreement Establishing an International Classification of the Figurative Elements of Marks (Vienna Agreement). With regard to the development of IP legislation, the Delegation mentioned Morocco’s legislative plan for 2013/2014 which included various draft laws on industrial property and copyright and related rights, namely, draft Law on Private Copies (compensation for creators for prejudice resulting from unlawful reproduction and piracy); draft Law modifying the Law on Copyright and Related Rights (for conformity with international obligations, particularly the Beijing Treaty); draft Law on the Moroccan Copyright Office (to become the Moroccan Office for Copyright and Related Rights); draft Amendments to legal industrial property requirements (quality of patents through enhanced registration procedures and issuing opinions on patenting, in addition to further improvements to the trademark and industrial design systems and enforcement of rights). The Delegation also highlighted the creation of funds to promote Moroccan cultural and artistic creations and support creativity and innovation, including funds for Moroccan drama, music and cinema, in addition to public support for the renovation and construction of cinema centers and film festivals. The Delegation also mentioned a fund for the promotion of innovation managed by the Moroccan Innovation Center. On the effective use of IP assets for economic development, the Delegation was pleased to refer to the ARABPAT Project, a unique platform for web publishing of Arab inventions. The Project was developed in cooperation with WIPO, EPO and participation from Egypt, Tunisia and Jordan. The Project was open for all Arab States. Such achievements illustrated the country’s ambitious plan for a modernized IP system for the benefit of creators and innovators as well as for public interest. To that end, the Delegation looked forward to intensified cooperation with WIPO. The Delegation also wished to reiterate the request made by Morocco to host a WIPO External Office in order to promote and enhance the relevance and regional outreach of WIPO’s work. With such proposal, Morocco would become the illustration of a modernized IP system and strengthen its cooperation with WIPO.

The Delegation of Rwanda endorsed the statement delivered by the Delegation of Egypt on behalf of the African Group and stressed Rwanda’s support for all efforts directed towards the international harmonization of IP protection in the fields of GRs, TK and folklore, and copyright exceptions and limitations for visually impaired persons, libraries, archives, and education and research institutions. The Delegation also expressed its support for the full and effective implementation of the DA. The Government of Rwanda had focused on improving the legal framework for IPR protection and had intensified its efforts to raise awareness of IP as a tool for the development of the country and the region among local and regional stakeholders. Rwanda’s IP framework, laws and policies sought to encourage innovation and creativity while safeguarding the IPRs of inventors. The stated objectives of the national IP policy included increasing technological literacy to promote innovation (including minor and incremental innovation), and increasing access to foreign and local technologies for local firms and researchers. A number of IP seminars had been organized in the past two years in partnership with WIPO and ARIPO and a countrywide awareness-raising drive had been organized. The Delegation noted that Rwanda was at a genuine implementation stage and looked forward to the establishment of Technology and TISCs under the DA. It was expected that these Centers would target individual inventors, SMEs, industries and researchers, as well as IP professionals and policymakers. The Delegation reiterated its support for the work of WIPO and voiced the conviction that the protection of IP for poverty reduction was the cornerstone of economic transformation.

The Delegation of Afghanistan said that a real and realistic approach to IPRs was a very new experience for the Government of Afghanistan. The Afghanistan Intellectual Property Board had been established in 2007 with the support of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries and it included representatives of various ministries and institutions. Officials of Afghanistan had participated in seminars, study visits and capacity-building workshops, both in Afghanistan and abroad. In cooperation with the Director General of WIPO, the Afghanistan IP work plan for 2012 had been revised to facilitate three specific events, namely: the organization of a study visit by high-ranking IP officials to WIPO Headquarters in Geneva; a study visit by Afghan officials to an IP office in a member country of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) for the purpose of capacity building, and; an awareness-raising seminar in Afghanistan. The challenges faced by the Government of Afghanistan in the enforcement of IP laws included: a lack of experience among enforcement officials; a low level of IP expertise, which needed to be compensated for by the establishment of an IP information center at Kabul University; the lack of an IP component in national university curricula, and; donor prioritization of other issues, to the possible detriment of IP programs. Afghanistan would maintain its commitment to IP principles and expected to make significant progress with the cooperation and assistance of WIPO.

The Delegation of Tajikistan noted that the National Patent Office regarded its relations with WIPO, other countries’ Patent Offices, and international organizations whose activities were related to IP, respectfully and responsibly. The country devoted great attention to the IP sphere. Tajikistan’s accession to the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs, and to the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks, was confirmation of that. Furthermore, Tajikistan intended in the near future to accede to the Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks. The Delegation also stated Tajikistan’s intention in the near future to devise a national IP strategy, and to establish a working group in that regard on behalf of the Government of Tajikistan with the participation of all relevant ministries and departments. IP was one of the priorities for Tajikistan’s economy. The Patent Office conducted various seminars on a near-monthly basis on legal protection of industrial property subject matter. Tajikistan intended to strengthen further its relations with WIPO, other countries’ Patent Offices, and international organizations, in order to develop IP in the country. In conclusion, the Delegation thanked the Director General and his team for organizing the Assemblies at such a high level.

The Delegation of the United Arab Emirates welcomed the Director General’s comprehensive report on WIPO’s achievements and strategic plans. The Delegation shared the Director General’s views and stressed the need for a mechanism for the establishment of regional offices which would have a major role in the implementation of the Organization’s strategic plans. Such achievements would help address expectations of Member States for infrastructure modernization and work development. The Delegation welcomed the successful outcome of the recent diplomatic conference with the adoption of the BTAP. Equally praiseworthy was the conclusion of an MoU between WIPO and the Patent Office of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC Patent Office) on support for the GCC Patent Office and establishment of an IP Academy. The Delegation subscribed to the views expressed by the Delegation of Oman in that those achievements were a true reflection of genuine ambition and will to modernize patent work and enhance cooperation between WIPO and other organizations and countries. The knowledge economy was a key objective for modernized economies that would lead to effective economic development. Major achievements were made in the United Arab Emirates by encouraging creators and innovators and promoting branding. In addition, great importance was attached to IP, in particular through the elaboration of an ambitious IP Strategic Plan for 2012/2014, as part of the country’s priorities and strategy for the future. Such activities would be realized thanks to the stability and economic growth of the United Arab Emirates, notwithstanding the major challenges and current economic situation worldwide. In conclusion, the Delegation looked forward to bilateral cooperation with WIPO Member States to exchange expertise and join efforts to curb patent and trademark infringements.

The Delegation of the Gambia aligned itself with the statement made by the Delegation of Egypt, on behalf of the African Group, as well with as the statement of the African Union (AU), and welcomed the successful adoption of the BTAP. It was hoped that meaningful progress would be achieved concerning the convening of a diplomatic conference on the adoption of a treaty on GRs, TK and TCEs. Over the past year, much effort had been put into norm-setting, institutional capacity building and awareness-raising aimed at demystifying IP and helping to sustain an IP culture at the national level. In January 2011, the Industrial Property Regulations had come into force, simplifying the registration procedures for IPRs. The Copyright Office had also formulated the draft Copyright Regulations on Registration of Works, which were adopted in 2011. The Gambia also benefitted from WIPO’s IPAS project, under which work had begun to automate trademark records dating back as far as 1918. National IP laws had been uploaded onto the WIPO Lex web site in 2011. Internal procedures had been put in place allowing the Gambia to join the growing number of members of the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks (Madrid system) by acceding to the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks. It was hoped that the Gambia would become a member of the Madrid system by 2013 but, in the meantime, work would be undertaken to ensure that the country’s trademark law was compatible with the Madrid legal regime. An integral element of the development of the IP landscape was the creation of awareness among potential owners and users of IPRs. WIPO had offered tremendous support in that regard and had organized four seminars in the Gambia during 2012, in collaboration with the ARIPO, including:  a stakeholder’s forum on the economic contribution of the copyright industry to overall economic development, and a forum on the formulation of a national IP policy and strategy. Prior to the forum, a needs assessment mission, commissioned by WIPO, had

been carried out and the findings of the assessment had been discussed by all stakeholders who were then ready to proceed to the next stage of policy development. All of those actions bore testimony to WIPO’s commitment to IP development in Africa and the Delegation looked forward to further fruitful cooperation in the future.

The Delegation of Mongolia expressed satisfaction at the work done by the Organization and the Secretariat during the current year, in particular the holding of the Beijing Diplomatic Conference in June, which had led to the adoption of the BTAP. The positive spirit and trust displayed by WIPO Member States had made it possible to conclude the Treaty. Mongolia had signed the Treaty, and hoped it would be ratified shortly. The launching of the initiative on south south cooperation reflected WIPO’s commitment to ensure that intellectual property served the cause of development. It was to be hoped that every effort would be made to achieve positive outcomes for the developing countries. The Delegation hoped that the spirit of cooperation which had prevailed for a week in Beijing would continue to characterize the Organization’s future work. Finally, it confirmed Mongolia’s commitment to derive greater benefit from the IP system in order to create an environment that was conducive to innovation and creativity in the country, and expressed its support for all WIPO initiatives. Mongolia was carrying out many activities in cooperation with WIPO, and trusted that all Members would work together to obtain positive results.

The Delegation of Mali endorsed the statement made by the Delegation of Egypt on behalf of the African Group and expressed special thanks to the Organization and all technical and financial partners for their moral support during what was a difficult period for the country. In particular, the Delegation was also grateful to the Director General of WIPO and his entire team for their support, which had helped put IRPs at the heart of social and economic development in Mali. The Government had taken several steps to make IP assets a source of wealth creation, such as the consolidation of the Malian Center for the Promotion of Industrial Property, which in March 2012 had become a focal point for efforts to strengthen IP promotion in all sectors of the economy; the adoption of a national IP development strategy; the creation of a national committee for IP coordination and development as well as the ongoing initiative to set up a national committee for promotion of GIs; and the signing of the agreement on the establishment of a TISC, due to take place at the current series of meetings. All of those efforts were backed by capacity-building for national human resources in Mali, which had benefitted from all WIPO training programs. The national strategy for IP development was fully consistent with the strategic poverty reduction framework, which had become the strategic framework for growth and poverty reduction. Mali had a coherent body of broad macroeconomic, structural and social programs, prominent among which was the industrial development policy and the policy for development of the agrofood sector, to which IP could make an invaluable contribution. In conclusion, the Delegation reiterated its satisfaction at the quality of its country’s cooperation ties with WIPO.

The Delegation of Kyrgyzstan expressed its commitment to supporting WIPO in all activities designed to benefit the Member States. It thanked the Organization for its ongoing support for the IP system of Kyrgyzstan and expressed particular gratitude for the organization of international and regional seminars on issues regarding the protection of IP and TK. It also thanked WIPO for its advisory and technical assistance in the preparation of a National Strategy for the Development of IP and Innovation in Kyrgyzstan from 2012 to 2016. That strategy was currently being implemented. Appreciation was expressed for the technical assistance provided in the automation of the State Intellectual Property Office and the implementation of the IPAS and WIPOScan software, as well as help concerning the TISC. As a party to numerous WIPO administered agreements, Kyrgyzstan had developed its national IP legislation in accordance with international standards. However, in order to resolve certain IP-protection related issues, the Government had introduced amendments to administrative legislation and the Law on Protection Against Unfair Competition. The Delegation noted that the IP system of the Kyrgyzstan would soon be celebrating its 20^th anniversary. A certain level of success had been achieved in that short period thanks to the support of WIPO. The Delegation stated that Kyrgyzstan was interested in the activities of the CDIP, the IGC, and the ACE. It expressed its deep satisfaction with the Beijing Treaty, the signing of which represented an important step in the development of the international copyright protection system.

The Delegation of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic expressed appreciation for the comprehensive report presented by the Director General on the DA, welcoming the commitment to addressing the main challenges in the field of IP and praising efforts by WIPO to encourage innovation and creativity across the world. The Delegation hailed in particular the success of the Diplomatic Conference on the Protection of Audiovisual Performances, which had led to the BTAP. The Delegation acknowledged the progress made by: the SCCR in respect of copyright exceptions and limitations for visually impaired persons; the SCT in respect of trademark law, and; the IGC in regulating the protection of GRs, TK and TCEs. Furthermore, the Delegation expressed support for the statements made by the Delegation of Nepal on behalf of the Group of LDCs and by the Delegation of Singapore, speaking on behalf of the ASEAN. The Delegation observed that the international IP system faced diverse challenges in many critical areas, including: the global economic crisis and climate change and environmental hazards. The 21^st century had been hailed as that of a knowledge-based economy and developing countries would require a sound knowledge of IP systems in order to ensure that they drew the maximum benefit from their own innovative and creative capacities. The Delegation welcomed the guidance and expert assistance of WIPO in the promotion of IPRs in the country. The Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic recognized the importance of and need for protection of IP, both with regard to the promotion of local innovative and creative activities and to facilitation of the acquisition and exploitation of IP for economic development. The Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic was aware that more comprehensive IP laws were needed. In 2011, the nation’s IP law had been amended to enable the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to meet existing and future obligations under the various international conventions and treaties on IPRs. The Delegation mentioned in that respect the accession of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, and declared that, in the near future, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic would join the WIPO-administered Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks. The Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic was planning to integrate IP and innovation strategies into the national development policy. There was also a need for an IP infrastructure that would allow for participation in information exchange at the regional and international levels. The Delegation thus welcomed WIPO’s contribution to strengthening the Lao People’s Democratic Republic IP Office through a number of initiatives, including an automation project, training, access to an innovation research and development program and the enhancement of access to technological information for researchers from developing countries. The Delegation noted that, in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, as in all the LDCs, WIPO technical assistance would continue to be required in order to strengthen the capacity of the national IP system. The aim of such support should be to ensure effective use of IP assets for social and economic development and, in particular, to find ways for IP systems to contribute to poverty reduction. The Delegation thanked WIPO for its invaluable assistance in respect of legislative orientation, human resource development and infrastructure improvement.